Curlybert

Several years ago when I was a volunteer at DAS (Canberra Pound) a pitbull boy came in who wasn't far removed from the wonder dog in that clip. He was an extraordinary chap and could climb and leap over anything. Gorgeous dog, but way too smart for his own good. He wasn't reclaimed and would not have been a good rehoming prospect because he was such an escape artist, managing to extricate himself from his enclosure several times at night by climbing about eight or nine feet up the wire and into the roof cavity, then forcing his way out, dropping about 8 feet omnto concrete and into the exercise yard where he would be found each morning. Sadly, he was put down. But what a dog. At least the dog in the clip has his energy and intelligence channelled constructively. (I assume!)

I did feel for the choc Lab wearing a Russian peasant scarf (pic no 27)waiting to be sold at the Moscow Pet Market.

"Norman oooooooohhh, Norman ooooooohhh, Norman, Norman my love...." as someone sang in the (ahem) 1960s. So glad he's relaxed and comfortable in his new home!

I'm so sorry Emma. Thank you for everything you did, and thank you everyone else who tried so hard for Ned. Thinking of you. XXX

Did they name and shame the low-lifes responsible? I wish they would jail people like this. Utter bastards.

My dogs also consider duck poo to be a piquant gourmet treat, especially as an appetiser before dinner!

A bossy man at a dog obedience club (a student, not an instructor)told me my Goldens were actually long-haired Labs. I said no, they're not. He assured me they were. I argued the toss, even pointing out their different countries of origin. He was having none of it. I ended up walking off in frustration, saying 'okay, you win' but it was pretty clear to him that I did not accept what he said. Who could be bothered arguing with a know-it-all?

Same here. I love any dog that is prepared to wag its tail and have a yarn with me, whether it's a champion in the show ring or a big brindle boofer from the pound.

My Golden Retriever, Billie (she's 11 today! )is notorious for raiding bench tops as soon as I walk out the door. If I forget something and go back inside after 20 seconds, I catch her red-handed. She's partial to fruit, but anything will do really. She peels bananas and avocados before eating them, so is quite civilised about it. She then puts herself outside, knowing she will be in trouble when I get home. My other Golden, Rebel, does not live up to her name and is usually quite law-abiding. Like Stan, she gets all upset and her body language says "it wasn't me - I'm innocent!" When I'm in other people's kitchens, I often absently-mindedly move any food to the back of the benchtops, even though Billie is at home with her own bench-tops to scour for snacks. Her hearty appetite is her only fault really - otherwise she's perfect.

Heartily agree!

Time to carry some dog food in your man bag, Sam, for just such occasions!

I'm puzzled by your post. Rescue snobs? I was still trying to get my head around the idea of pure-breed snobs, who I have also never encountered. But back to alleged rescue snobs - can you give some examples, with identifiers removed? I can only think that someone who posts on a rescue thread that they are interested in a particular dog already saved by rescue would need to go through that rescue's normal channels to acquire the dog - including yard inspection, completion of a questionnaire and so forth. If they were particularly keen on a saved but still impounded dog, they could go the pound themsleves and purchase it as a member of the public. The public always has priority over rescue. But there should not be an expectation that a rescue will do the hard yards springing a dog and then just hand it over to someone who wants it. It's all there on the rescue forum if you would like to look for it. :) I'm quite familiar with the rescue threads. I'm asking you to provide examples to support your assertion because I can't recall any posts that do.

I'm puzzled by your post. Rescue snobs? I was still trying to get my head around the idea of pure-breed snobs, who I have also never encountered. But back to alleged rescue snobs - can you give some examples, with identifiers removed? I can only think that someone who posts on a rescue thread that they are interested in a particular dog already saved by rescue would need to go through that rescue's normal channels to acquire the dog - including yard inspection, completion of a questionnaire and so forth. If they were particularly keen on a saved but still impounded dog, they could go the pound themsleves and purchase it as a member of the public. The public always has priority over rescue. But there should not be an expectation that a rescue will do the hard yards springing a dog and then just hand it over to someone who wants it.

On the other hand, plenty of us have endured pregnancy and still managed to properly care for our dogs, regardless of our hormones. I hope you can step in and help responsibly rehome the dog, Smisch.

Thinking of you, Jed. XXXX

I was once walking through the park behind my house with one of my Goldens and she stopped for a wizz. When she finished, we resumed walking and a man shouted from his front yard "Are ya gunna pick that up?". (Presumably he was unfamiliar with female dogs' urinating postures.) I retrieved two plastic bags from my pocket and said "Well I would, but these are useless for a wizz. Perhaps you could lend me a sponge." :D

Any concerns Deadwombat had could have been raised in a courteous manner, without the smartarsery. Jess and Trish, I have spoken to Fiona and am donating to Jessie's fix-my-leg fund.

:mad + 1. Must be very disheartening to see that kind of response when you are genuinely trying to help a needy dog. Agreed. It's gratuitous and unfunny.

Well duhhh!! Yes, because I already said I didn't know it was illegal!!! No need for the attitude. I wasn't aware you had personally placed them.

The ads (for both pups and kittens)have been removed it seems.

I know who you mean Curlybert, their name escapes me at the moment, but they bred dogs & also ran the boarding kennels, which are still there. I don't ever remember them cremating pets, thought it was just a pet cemetery - used to know a guy with a backhoe who had the contract to do the burials. I took my old Golden there to be cremated in December 1993. (Already deceased, of course!) I was later given an urn containing ashes. I often wondered if they were actually hers. It didn't strike me as being a very professional operation on the cremation side of things - when I asked about it I was told they used a large wood oven on the premises. Maybe they no longer conduct that aspect of the business.

About 20 years a go there was an old bloke out on the Federal Highway who did it on the premises. I'm pretty sure he would be long-gone now though, unless someone else took over. He also had a pet cemetery there.

I wonder if this is the same boy who was recently arrested for other horrific attacks on Canberra dogs - at least four. Sure hope so, as that boy is now in custody and being psychiatrically assessed.

Another endorsement for 'Pets at Peace' from me. Many years ago, before P@P was established in Canberra, I used someone else to cremate my first Golden and he was awful - I had to deliver my dog who had just been PTS and he thoughtlessly asked how I was, in the same way a checkout operator would say "hi how are you" as if they actually care. Given I had just had my dear old dog put down, suffice to say I was not feeling great, so it was a stupid and insensitive question! By contrast, Pets at Peace are very conscientious about being kind and tactful with grieving pet owners.

If you are planning on going only for a year or so, you would need to consider the period your girls would need to spend in quarantine on return. It could be six months.